I've been a lurker on the forums for a few months and decided to register and post today because I'm having an increasingly difficult time with my 8 month old miniature Poodle puppy. We got him from a breeder around 4 months old and is becoming more and more aggressive as time goes on. His primary issues are:
-Resource guarding (only items he should not have - a sock, sticks, rocks. Never for his toys). He growls when approached and has even bitten us multiple times when attempting to take the items from him
-Growling when being picked up. This is a real concern for me as he does not take correction very kindly as it agitates him even more. He has also bitten under these circumstances.
He is extremely submissive in any other situation. If I go to pet him he rolls right to his back and looks up at me.
He is playful and does still play bite, but there is certainly a difference between his "play" and "guarding" bite.
He is currently going to a trainer that focuses on leash correction and training. So far he is able to "sit", "down" but I don't see any end in sight for "give". The trainer emphasizes using the leash to correct him when he is guarding or doing anything that is considered aggressive. The way I see it, this approach is making him more aggressive. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Edit: I want to add that the trainer is against "trading" items in regards to the guarding.
-Resource guarding (only items he should not have - a sock, sticks, rocks. Never for his toys). He growls when approached and has even bitten us multiple times when attempting to take the items from him
-Growling when being picked up. This is a real concern for me as he does not take correction very kindly as it agitates him even more. He has also bitten under these circumstances.
He is extremely submissive in any other situation. If I go to pet him he rolls right to his back and looks up at me.
He is playful and does still play bite, but there is certainly a difference between his "play" and "guarding" bite.
He is currently going to a trainer that focuses on leash correction and training. So far he is able to "sit", "down" but I don't see any end in sight for "give". The trainer emphasizes using the leash to correct him when he is guarding or doing anything that is considered aggressive. The way I see it, this approach is making him more aggressive. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Edit: I want to add that the trainer is against "trading" items in regards to the guarding.